Bocas del Toro, the stunning archipelago on Panama's Caribbean coast, is the perfect spot to celebrate New Year's Eve in paradise. With its lively culture, breathtaking landscapes, and exciting nightlife, this destination blends relaxation with unforgettable experiences. Come midnight, the area buzzes with parties and festivities, making it a remarkable place to welcome the New Year. Let’s explore how to make the most of your New Year's Eve in Bocas del Toro.
Planning Your New Year's Eve Celebration in Bocas del Toro
Around the holidays, it’s common to see an increase of 30% more tourists in the Bocas. Because of this, make sure to book your accommodations early. We booked our accommodations two months in advance, and when we checked again at the beginning of December for any last-minute deals, we found Bocas Town almost fully booked!
The influx of people ensures an extra fun celebration!
So where should you go to celebrate in Bocas Town?
The answer is simple - the celebration will mostly just be on the streets! Yes, that's right, no need to make a reservation or have a detailed plan for midnight - the celebration is going to be all around you!
We started our night at La Buga, a popular restaurant located on the south end of Bocas Town. It had a fun vibe but was honestly slammed. I'm sure most restaurants were to be fair but there wasn't enough staff and the entire process was a struggle. The food was slow but worth waiting for - so make your New Year's resolution to be more patient now.
From there we headed to Trattoria Pane e Vino. It's not as stuffy as its fancy Italian name makes it seem. Instead we found a chill bar with a great vibe that seemed to be a favorite for expats. Extra points for the zero-minute wait time we had while ordering drinks!
We stayed at the Trattoria until midnight, but then the real fun began. We heard booms and ran outside to see what was happening—fireworks everywhere!
Turns out the locals love to put on a fireworks show to celebrate - and it goes on for hours.
Parque Simón Bolívar, a popular hangout area had a big gathering with 2-3 people shooting off fireworks on the eastern side. Check these out for a while before following the noise to the real show.
The triangle where Calles 1a and 3a meet, near Hotel Cristina is the place to celebrate. Here hundreds of people will gather to watch someone drag a big cardboard box in the middle of the street and ignite it.
For unofficial fireworks, the show was truly impressive. These are not small pops but instead big and constant explosions of color. We stood here for almost an hour before deciding to head for a drink (and dancing) at nearby Space Lounge.
Prefer to spend your Bocas del Toro New Year's at a party?
With various dance parties commonly happening around the Bocas there surely will be a party happening on New Years. Check out Bocas del Toro's official newspaper, The Bocas Breeze's instagram for a list of venues hosting celebrations.
Filthy Friday also hosted a New Year's party in 2024 so check their site also for upcoming events.
With that, we wish you a Happy New Year's celebration!
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